Chicago Cubs falter late as walks cost them in 4-1 loss to Mariners

The Chicago Cubs struggled most of the game against Wade Miley before coming through in the seventh, but late walks by Jake Arrieta and a double allowed by Aroldis Chapman let the game slip away late in a 4-1 loss to the Mariners

Being a reliever isn’t easy. Being one for the Chicago Cubs? An even tougher gig. The Cubs (62-41) were stymied at the plate most of the game until the seventh inning when they were able to push across a run. But the bullpen failed to hold the lead as the Seattle Mariners (52-50) scored three in the eighth and added another in the ninth to steal away a 4-1 win from the Cubs.

Wade Miley (7-8, 4.98) held the Cubs hitless through six innings before Kris Bryant singled following a Dexter Fowler walk. Ben Zobrist laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over with one out. Javier Baez then hit a slow chopper to short and the throw came home. Fowler slid to the outside of the plate but was ruled out, but the Cubs challenged the call and won.

The Mariners then tried to pick off Baez at first and Bryant took off for home. He was ruled safe, but after review, it appeared his foot went right over the top of the plate and the call was reversed.

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The eighth started with two walks issued by Jake Arrieta (12-5, 2.75), who was then lifted for Hector Rondon. After retiring the first batter on a sacrifice bunt, the Cubs threw out the possible tying run at the plate on a fielder’s choice by Nori Aoki. Cubs skipper Joe Maddon then opted to bring in his closer to attempt another four-out save, but it wasn’t to be today. Leonys Martin poked a ball into the left-center gap to give the Mariners the lead at 2-1. A wild pitch later on allowed another run to score, making it 3-1.

The move from Rondon to Chapman didn’t seem necessary, as Rondon has been more than capable of escaping jams, but Maddon felt that Chapman gave them the best chance to get out of the inning. It was a bit of a downer as the belief was the Cubs backend of the bullpen would be one of the toughest in the league to beat.

Next: What areas are still a concern?

The two teams will meet tomorrow in the finale in a game that will be broadcast on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.